SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF ROSUVASTATIN ON PLASMA CONCENTRATION OF HIGH SENSITIVITY C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC STABLE ANGINA

Abstract

Objective: To determine the short term effects of rosuvastatin on elevated base
line high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with chronic stable
angina.
Methodology: This Quasi-experimental comparative study was conducted in
Cardiology department, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, between March 2010
and February, 2011. We selected 44 consecutive patients age 40 years or above,
of any gender having hs-CRP levels ≥1.2mg/l with chronic stable angina. Base
line levels of hs-CRP, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol,
triglycerides, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were measured in fasting
status. These patients were treated with rosuvastatin 20 mg once daily at night
and followed up for one month. Using SPSS version 16 data was analyzed.
Results: Mean age was 53±7.2 and 50% were females. Following treatment with
rosuvastatin 20mg for one month the mean hs-CRP levels reduced from
4.08±2.56 to 2.72±2.40 (95%CI, 0.41 to 2.29, p=0.006). Similarly mean total
cholesterol levels decreased from 185.88±37.62 to 147.45±38.35,
(p=0.0001). LDL cholesterol decreased from 118.34±31.31 to 86.63±35.72
(p= 0.0001). But mean HDL cholesterol had no significant increase from
baseline levels i.e. from 32.18±9.93 to 33.95±7.65 (p=0.174). TGs levels
reduced from 240.11±123.66 to 197.43±88.24 (p=0.008). Mean CPK levels
did not differ significantly from base line at follow up, from 101.43±58.63 to
96.22±55.10 (p=0.646).
Conclusion: Short term treatment with rosuvastatin significantly decreases
elevated hs-CRP levels in patients with chronic stable angina.